3Bake 33 to 43 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Using a long serrated knife, trim cake even with top of pan, if necessary. Turn pan upside down onto cooling rack; remove pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4Place cake on 12- to 15-inch serving plate, tray or piece of cardboard covered with foil. Stir 8 to 10 drops blue food color into frosting. Spread frosting around base of cake to look like water. Sprinkle brown sugar around frosting on plate to look like sand.

5Place gumdrops on top of each tower. Cut long flag-shaped pieces out of fruit snack with sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Roll fruit snack around 4 toothpicks to make flags; insert toothpicks into gumdrops. Arrange crackers and rock candy in frosting, and add chocolate bar, upside down, for drawbridge as shown. Store loosely covered.

Notes

Tips

Expert Tips

You can bake and freeze the cake before your big celebration. Tightly cover unfrosted cake and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and decorate the day before your celebration.

Create an attractive display by covering a piece of sturdy cardboard with wrapping paper, then plastic food wrap. Stretch and secure with tape. Or cover cardboard with foil or cooking parchment paper.